Alappuzha: In a shocking development, authorities have begun preparations to shift the public health laboratory under the District Medical Office in Alappuzha to yet another dilapidated structure.

At present, the laboratory operates from an old, run-down building near the dialysis centre on the General Hospital campus. Ironically, under a multi-crore project, plans are now underway to relocate it to a structure that is reportedly in even worse condition and at risk of collapse.

The proposed building, situated behind the District Medical Office, previously housed the Pain and Palliative Care Department. For a period, the artificial limb centre also functioned there.

The building, having two floors, was built several decades ago. It has now developed cracks in many areas and portions of the concrete ceiling have collapsed, exposing the steel rods. The washrooms in the building are also in a very bad condition.

An amount of ₹1.25 crore sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission to modernise the public health laboratories in the district is being utilised for the work. Even though sufficient land is available on the General Hospital premises to construct a new building for the laboratory, the authorities decided to shift the facility to an old building citing inadequate funds. Subsequently, work began to renovate the crumbling structure.

Meanwhile, residents of the area have expressed strong resentment against the move.